For the first time, the UN Security Council has been able to agree on a resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.
The demand involves an immediate humanitarian ceasefire that will apply during Ramadan until April 9 as a step towards a “permanent and sustainable” end to the fighting.
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According to Pål Wrange, professor of crimes against international law, the resolution on an immediate ceasefire can be interpreted in different ways.
– It is about an immediate cease-fire that should lead to a permanent cease-fire. The resolution thus does not call for a permanent ceasefire, but only an immediate ceasefire.
The United States abstained
14 members of the UN Security Council voted for the resolution. The United States chose for the first time to completely abstain from voting.
– It means an awful lot. We know that the US is Israel’s closest ally, says Samir Abu Eid, Middle East correspondent, in SVT’s live broadcast:
– Three times before, they have vetoed when other countries have presented resolutions on ceasefire. But now the US is putting down its vote, I would say that is a sharp criticism of Israel.
Netanyahu cancels US visit
After the announcement that the UN approved the resolution and the US abstained, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that it is a “clear retreat” from their previous position. Also that he no longer intends to send the delegation to Washington to discuss the planned military intervention in Rafah.
White House spokesman John Kirby says they are “very disappointed”, as they had hoped to hold talks on possible solutions to Israel’s capture of Rafah.